Jeremiyah Love 2026 NFL Draft profile: The best RB prospect since Saquon Barkley?

The NFL has spent years talking down the running back position. Then along comes a game-breaking talent like Jeremiyah Love.

With the 2026 NFL Draft just around the corner, the Saquon Barkley comparisons that have followed Love in recent months are not as outlandish as they might seem.

Here's everything you need to know about the 20-year-old Notre Dame product.

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The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off in Pittsburgh on Thursday, April 23, and you can watch every round live on DAZN with a Game Pass subscription.

From just £9.99/€9.99, witness the moment Fernando Mendoza, Jeremiyah Love and Carnell Tate hear their names called and take their first steps toward NFL stardom.

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Jeremiyah Love: early life and career

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Love arrived at Notre Dame as one of the most explosive backs in the 2023 recruiting class.

A four-star prospect, Love chose the Fighting Irish over multiple Power Five offers.

With a background as a track athlete and standout basketball player, Love's athleticism immediately translated to the field, where he regularly ripped off long plays and overwhelmed second-level defenders.

Jeremiyah Love's college journey

As a freshman, Love flashed big-play ability as a backup before his role expanded in 2024. Over the last two years, he has been part of a dangerous two-man backfield with teammate Jadarian Price.

He may not have enjoyed the heavy workload of other top-tier backs such as Missouri's Ahmad Hardy, but few running backs in this draft class can rival Love's production on a per-snap basis.

According to PFF, among the 69 FBS running backs with at least 150 rushing attempts last year, Love had the best overall offensive grade (93.1), tied for first in yards per attempt (6.9), and ranked third in yards after contact per attempt (4.5).

In the last two seasons, the 20-year-old has amassed 2,497 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns on the ground. Over that same period, Love has also produced 517 receiving yards and five scores through the air.

Love ranks fourth among FBS backs in explosive runs over 10 yards, despite having far fewer carries than his peers who placed above him.

Love's strengths

At 6’0” and 214lbs, Love blends track speed with a powerful, athletic frame. Physically, he’s got all the tools he needs to succeed at the pro level.

His acceleration and agility make him deadly on outside zone and stretch concepts. As explosive as it gets, once Love sees daylight, he's gone.

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Love's vision has improved each season. He presses the line with patience, identifies running lanes easily, and there’s little wasted movement in his footwork once his decision is made.

He profiles as an excellent receiver, tracking the ball naturally. He demonstrates soft hands as a pass catcher, dropping only four balls throughout his college career.

In pass protection, Love shows toughness and effort in squaring up to blitzers. It's not a perfect area of his game, but the willingness and physicality are there.

Teams will covet his scheme versatility; Love can thrive in wide zone but also has the power to succeed in gap-heavy systems.

For someone who once said he “didn’t like to talk to people,” Love has grown into an articulate, team-oriented leader. That progress will not go unnoticed in NFL front offices.

Love's weaknesses

Love’s upright running style can expose him to big hits. While he runs hard, there are snaps where he relies on speed rather than consistently grinding tough interior yards.

His pass-protection technique could use some refinement. As mentioned, the want-to is there, but at times, his head and eyes can drop.

He has not yet carried the ball 200 times in a season after splitting time with fellow running back Jadarian Price. Some pro teams may wonder how he handles a true bell-cow workload at the next level.

Jeremiyah Love's NFL Draft outlook

Love's combination of top-tier athleticism, incredible production, and receiving upside should make him a focal point of any NFL offense.

Running backs may have been devalued in recent years, but NFL general managers are well aware of the talent Love has to offer.

Comparing most running back prospects to Saquon Barkley would be setting them up for failure. In Love's case, it's a realistic ceiling for a player with the talent to become the next big thing at RB.

NFL Draft pick prediction: Top five. He lands with the Titans at No. 4 in our latest mock draft.